Kota Kinabalu: Youths who dropped out of school are encouraged to take the opportunity to venture into the field of ornamental fish farming which can generate good income.
The Chairman of the Sabah Fisheries and Fishermen Development Corporation (Ko-Nelayan), Kong Soon Choi, said the opportunity to learn ornamental fish farming techniques is provided by his party located in Kg Kaiduan, Papar.
He said the Ko-Nelayan Ornamental Fish Centre (PIHS) is the largest farm in Sabah and is equipped with skilled instructors on ornamental fish care and breeding techniques.
“This farm is fully owned by Ko-Nelayan with an area of 7.6 acres to increase the ornamental fish industry in Sabah.
“The government allocated RM10 million in the 11th and 12th Malaysia Plans to develop the farm,” he said when he made a working visit to the farm, recently.
Therefore, he said, youths are called to seize the opportunity because the ornamental fish market is not only concentrated in the country but also abroad such as China, Japan, Taiwan, Germany and Canada.
Kong, who is also the Wiramuda Leader of Sabah Solidarity Party Tanah Airku (StarSabah), said among the decorative fish produced by PIHS is the Arowana Malaysia Gold species and is in high demand by Malaysians other than China.
“Imagine in China alone, this species gets a demand of up to 10,000 fish per month. Another reason for youths to become ornamental fish entrepreneurs,” he said.
In the meantime, he said Ko-Nelayan will work with Dream Fish Sdn Bhd which is a sole producer of Arowana to make this species one of the sources of income for the state of Sabah.
In addition to the Malaysia Gold Arowana species, the youths can also get guidance on raising Sabah kaloi fish at the centre.
“I hope that with the participation of youths and ornamental fish entrepreneurs, Sabah will be able to become the largest producer of ornamental fish in the country,” he said.
Also were Deputy General Manager of Ko-Layanan Sabah, Cabrini Chia, Head of the Ko Nelayan PIHS, Mohd Shah Hime bin Awang, Dream Fish Sdn Bhd Manager, Angus Wong and other senior officials.
